Why did Vinicius Junior Miss Out on the Ballon d’Or?

The Ballon d’Or stands as the most prestigious individual accolade in football, almost like a title in its own right.

Every footballer aspires to win it, and top clubs around the globe are eager to claim it.

As the announcement date approaches, discussions heat up, particularly in Spain, where the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona often takes center stage.

This was especially true during the intense competition between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

This year, the conversation has reignited with the surprising omission of Vinicius Jr from the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominations.

The Brazilian was the main favourite to win the Ballon d’Or .

All the bookmakers were saying so, and Real Madrid themselves were also taking it for granted.

It made sense, after all, he was the most decisive player on the most dominant team during the 2023/24 season .

Vinicius was key in winning both the La Liga titles (15 goals and 6 assists).

Above all, the Champions League (6 goals and 5 assists), including a double in the first leg of the semi-finals and another in the final against Borussia Dortmund. So why hasn’t Vinicius won the Ballon d’Or?

Why hasn’t Vinicius won the Ballon d’Or?

Vinicius’ level with a ball at his feet is beyond doubt. At 24 years old, the Real Madrid striker is unanimously considered one of the best players in the world.

One of the few who can change the outcome of a match with a moment of brilliance.

In fact, the 13 titles he has already won with Real Madrid, including two Champions Leagues, speak volumes about his relevance in the world of football.

However, the Brazilian is also one of the most polarising figures in existence today.

One of the main reasons Vinicius Junior may not have won the Ballon d’Or over Rodrigo is the mixed feelings he evokes in certain football circles.

The Brazilian often grabs headlines not just for his successes but also for the controversies he finds himself in on the field.

Frequently, he is a victim, particularly of racist insults.

Recently, the National Police arrested four individuals for a campaign targeting the footballer, and the Government has acknowledged its previous inaction on this matter, stating that it will no longer tolerate such behavior.

He has also sparked other controversies, which, while not criminal or as severe, are still quite loud.

This includes his protests and confrontations with referees, as well as interactions with rival players and fans. His gestures have created a conflictive image around him, which would have played against him when it came to opting for the award.

It is very important to note that the Ballon d’Or is an award given by France Football.

This may seem like a trivial thing, but it is not. Ultimately, being the winner of the Ballon d’Or means being the representative of France Football in the eyes of the world .

The face that appears on its cover, through which the magazine projects itself to the outside world.

Therefore, the winner must be someone the publication wishes to be associated with, making public image just as vital as on-field performance.

This is clear from the criteria that France Football uses to select the members of its jury.

In total, the Ballon d’Or is chosen by 100 journalists from around the world.

According to Alfredo Relaño, honorary president of the newspaper As and the person in charge of voting in Spain, in an article published in El País.

The French newspaper asks them to consider three criteria when casting their vote: individual performance, collective achievements and fair play .

It is within this last section that the personality of the footballer is valued , fundamentally his public image.

There are other sporting reasons, that have not helped Vinicius.

The Copa America

The Brazilian role in the Copa America. The South American team suffered a major setback after losing in the quarter-finals against Uruguay, a match that Vinicius could not play due to accumulating two yellow cards.

He faced criticism during the tournament and even acknowledged his part in the team’s disappointing result in an Instagram post, stating, “I know how to hear the criticism, and the harshest comes from within the home.”

Vinicius’s competition

Vinicius’ controversial nature is the main reason why the Real Madrid player has not won the Ballon d’Or, although it is not the only one.

The presence of a similarly skilled player like Rodri Hernández has also played a crucial role in the surprising outcome.

The Spanish international is widely regarded as the best midfielder in the world and has been instrumental in the successes of both Manchester City and the Spanish national team.

With the English team, Rodri secured one of the most fiercely contested Premier Leagues in recent memory, as the Citizens finished with 91 points, just ahead of Arsenal’s 89.

This intense title race cannot be fully appreciated without acknowledging the role of the Madrid midfielder.

Rodri played all 34 league matches, logging 2,938 minutes, making him the most utilized player in Pep Guardiola’s squad, even more than any goalkeeper.

His great year did not stop there, as in the summer he lifted the Euro Cup with the Spanish national team, being named the MVP of the tournament.

This collective achievement starkly contrasts with Brazil’s disappointing performance in the Copa América, where the Canarinha, theoretically led by Vinicius, fell short in the quarter-finals.

This lackluster showing has raised questions about the winger’s capability to be the definitive leader of a successful project.

Internal competition at Real Madrid

One of the ongoing questions surrounding Vinicius is whether he possesses the personality to be the undisputed leader of a winning team.

This notion resonates with the discussion surrounding a previously controversial and polarizing footballer.

While it is accepted that Vinicius is Real Madrid’s most decisive player, it is also true that the success of the Whites falls on other figures, who have also garnered a significant number of votes .

Jude Bellingham, the top scorer for the Whites in last season’s League, Dani Carvajal , a leader in defence, or Toni Kroos , key player in the midfield before retiring, were also legitimate contenders to win the Ballon d’Or, competing with their teammate.